So I'm thinking of getting the kids a Wii...

ActionArnie

... and was wondering if there are any quality games beyond the Mario series stuff? From what I can see it looks like there are a lot of rubbish games out there that one could blow money on.

Any suggestions on games that would be cool for younger kids? (Girls 6 yrs old and younger)

Mannoroth

Apparently Skylanders is off the hook... but be prepared to dock up some moola.

Me, I'd just get them into reading books instead, way better ?

Warren

My kids are the same age.

By far the best single game I've found for them is Lego Harry Potter (Years 1-4). They have pretty much all the Lego games, but the Harry Potter series is really excellent, and very well positioned for their age group. It's less about shooting stuff up and more about solving problems together. My son and daughter can play it together co-operatively, and you have to work together to get through the different sections of each level. As with all the Lego games, there is a ton of collectible and unlockable stuff, and it's packed with good humour. Especially if your family is a fan of the first few movies (the later movies are not for kids IMO) then you really can't go wrong. Some of the other Lego games are also pretty good, and they all feature similar gameplay.

I bought my kids Skylanders recently and it's also quite fun. There are a bunch of toys which are incorporated into the game: they place the little characters on a device that plugs into the console, and that brings those characters into the game. Different characters have different strengths / weaknesses etc. You only get 3 characters in the starter pack, and each additional one is around R120 (although you can buy packs of them which brings the cost down a bit) so it can get really expensive if you collect a lot of them.

On the Wii, some of the party games are quite fun. They're usually mini-game collections and are quite simple, but the whole family can play together (kind of like interactive board-games). The Mario stuff is good, but keep in mind that Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario Brothers are quite challenging games for small kids, so they'll probably need some help in the trickier parts.

Make sure you keep an eye on your local BT store for second-hand games, you can save a lot of cash that way, and do some basic reading on titles before you buy. That said, game reviews are usually written for the adult audience, often kids are quite happy with Camping Princess Barbie Hello Kitty Deluxe XXI...

As for reading books: no reason kids can't learn to enjoy both. ?

ActionArnie

Thanks guys, sounds like great advice

Warren

ActionArnie wrote Thanks guys, sounds like great advice

Just remember to buy an extra set of controls for the Wii, it only comes with controls for one player. You'll need another Wii remote, and another nunchuck control.

Make sure that you also buy a Wii with the upgraded Wii Remote sensor. All of the newer consoles have this, but sometimes shops have old stock lying around. The original remotes were pretty clunky, and the upgraded sensors are a lot more responsive.

ActionArnie

ShreddySmurf wrote
ActionArnie wrote Thanks guys, sounds like great advice
Just remember to buy an extra set of controls for the Wii, it only comes with controls for one player. You'll need another Wii remote, and another nunchuck control.

Make sure that you also buy a Wii with the upgraded Wii Remote sensor. All of the newer consoles have this, but sometimes shops have old stock lying around. The original remotes were pretty clunky, and the upgraded sensors are a lot more responsive.

How can you tell if it has the upgraded sensor?

aubs1

Hey AA, we have 2 boys, aged 11 and 6. One Wii? Big problem!!

They fought over which games who wanted to play, and when, etc. Long story short, to keep the peace, we eventually had to get each his own module, we then buy each one their own games, (age restrictions) etc. Just something to think about ..... you mentioned a girl 6, and a younger? Boy?

Warren

ActionArnie wrote How can you tell if it has the upgraded sensor?

It's called a Wii Remote Plus I think, so as long as it features that on the box, you're good to go.

ActionArnie

ShreddySmurf wrote
ActionArnie wrote How can you tell if it has the upgraded sensor?
It's called a Wii Remote Plus I think, so as long as it features that on the box, you're good to go.

Ok cool ta.

@Aubs 2 girls, the younger is only 2 so she'll not be involved really initially.

Squonk

My 10 year old son enjoys the Sports Resort?? that comes with the Wii.

He became quite a fundi in the Table Tennis game, so much so that when he played his first real life game, he impressed the coach and was asked to join the school team!

singemonkey

Grr. Back in my day we used to just sit around in a sedentary fashion, barely moving while playing games. Now kids have to actually move about while playing games? World's going to hell in a hand-basket. >☹

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ActionArnie

singemonkey wrote Grr. Back in my day we used to just sit around in a sedentary fashion, barely moving while playing games. Now kids have to actually move about while playing games? World's going to hell in a hand-basket. >☹

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